Park Place Inn or Desert Inn & Suites

[jfritz]

Both of these hotels have great rates, are right close to each other and the rates are fantastic for the end of January, beginning of February when we are going for the first time. We have all been to WDW lots of times and since we are cruising out of Long Beach we figured we just have to see Disneyland! Any help or opinions on these two would be more than welcome. Thanks!!

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We stayed at the Park Place Inn a few years ago, it was nice. Nothing special, but then again I don't think any of the places across the street are anything special. They are nice because of their rates and their location. I guess it would depend what you are looking for, the Desert Inn and Suites has more choices in the way of suites where as the PPI only has a regular room and a mini suite. I think their mini suite just includes a fold out couch, but I could be wrong. The Desert Inn has 1 and 2 bedroom suites. We will be staying in the one bedroom suite this December, we like the idea of being in a different room than our kids so we can stay up and watch tv or get up earlier to get ready to start the day. I think they both have about the same things for breakfast. I know Desert Inn offers a microwave and refrigerator, I'm not sure about Park Place Inn. But this is nice to re-heat leftovers or keep cold waters and sodas.

 

[wvnative]

My daughter and I stayed at Desert Inn in May. We never look for anything fancy as we're only in our room long enough to sleep and shower usually. It was just fine. Our room was clean and ready several hours before check in. The guy at the front desk even did some room swapping so we could get in early since we were one of the first to try to check in that day. They have a continental breakfast but it wasn't open yet the first morning we were there and we already had breakfast plans the second day so we never even went in the room. I've heard it's sufficient but not great. You really can't beat the distance to the gates though.

We've not stayed at BWPPI yet but I don't think I've really heard anything bad about it either.

 

[daannzzz]

I have stayed at both places in the last few years and both are fine. I thought Park place Inn was nicer as far as the decore goes. It was comfortable and had a decent breakfast. The Desert Inn and Suites has a generic decore and, for some reason the room seemed dated like from the 40's or so even though it was built in the 80's!!! It was clean and it does have lots od suite configurations. Their Parlor suite has a real wall and door between the rooms as opposed to Park Place Inn minisuites having only a half wall.

 

[bclydia]

If you are travelling with kids or a large group, definitely the Desert Inn and Suites. However, if it's just two adults, I don't think it matters much.

 

[disneylandfreak]

We've stayed at both, the Park Place inn was just for a night and the DI was 6 nights. I would recommend the PPI, I will never stay at the DI again. I thought it was dirty and old. The set-up was good for the # of people we had (7) but yuck.
Jen

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

We stayed here once and never again. The parking is HORRIBLE. They only allow you to park one car, and the parking is very tight. I've heard of people getting their car out and finding dents and dings that weren't there before they went to Desert Inn. My DH had a hard time finding parking at night when he went out to run a few errands while we were at the park. The wanted him to park at the Desert Palm on Katella and walk back to DI because there was no parking stalls left at night even though he had a parking pass. What's up with that?
The rooms were dirty looking. The carpet made our socks turn black. Gross. Never again, no matter how cheap. There are a few other motels on Harbor that have suite configurations with separate rooms, no need to stay at DI.
I've only heard good things about BWPPI.
FWIW, Howard Johnson's Building 1 facing Disneyland is the only place we'll stay now. Great customer service, clean rooms and lots of free parking. arty:

 

[kuusimo]

We have stayed at both and I agree with most posts here- both have microwaves and fridges. I think there is a little more walking room at Desert Inn. The mini suite does have a couch that folds out into a bed. The shower head at PPI is lower and my DH of 5'9" had to slouch down to rinse his hair. It hit my head and I am 5'4". Both pools are on the small side. Both have laundry facilities. Desert Inn has more washers and dryers. The continental breakfast is a little better at PPI.

Parking at both was not that great. So far the best parking we have found is at CCI. You cannot beat the location of either though! Good luck in your decision.